Leeds United takeover update: 49ers Enterprises want impasse broken as Andrea Radrizzani strikes deal – Phil Hay
49ers Enterprises now want a successful conclusion to their Leeds United takeover talks with Andrea Radrizzani after he struck a deal to buy Sampdoria, says Phil Hay.
The Whites chairman has been occupied with a rescue bid for the Italian club in the week that his English outfit were relegated from the Premier League, scuppering his previously agreed deal to sell to the Americans.
Despite talks in the US late last week there is still yet to be a replacement agreement between the two parties over his 56% share of the now-Championship side, but after Radrizzani reached a conclusion on one set of negotiations it could now help find one on the other.
Hay wrote for The Athletic in reaction to the news from Italy: “The hope at Leeds will be that Radrizzani striking a deal for Sampdoria breaks the impasse with 49ers Enterprises and allows a takeover at Elland Road to happen.
“One way or the other, it should allow for some clarity about what Radrizzani actually intends to do. Because there’s nothing in tonight’s statement about his ownership of Leeds and he’s said nothing about it since relegation.
“But 49ers Enterprises will be looking for a successful conclusion to talks now.”
Focus
From a Leeds United perspective the Sampdoria issue has been an untimely distraction at a key moment when answers are needed at Elland Road.
The plans for the short-term future were derailed, or at best set back, by a relegation that was flirted with a year ago but crashed headlong into this season.
With clarity required at the very top, through the board room, via the dug-out, to the squad itself, every day lost to more talks over a potential sale is ground given up to rival clubs.
It is not news to anyone that falling into the Championship would decrease the value of the club by a hefty margin, not least Radrizzani and the 49ers, so it is frustrating to say the least that it has now happened and they are still trying to thrash out a deal.
Leeds United looked in danger of reaching this point months ago, and yet no agreement was reached ahead of time.
The current regime, although with the now-former sporting director Victor Orta central to proceedings, wasted a number of games when they sacked Jesse Marsch and failed to appoint numerous potential successors.
The current limbo will be reminiscent of that saga to Whites fans, and given the results were ultimately not positive following that episode the hope has to be that a satisfactory outcome can be reached soon on the ownership question so the subsequent issues can start to be resolved as well.
In other Leeds United news, immediate changes to the Elland Road board are expected once the 49ers take charge.